残念(ざんねん)

ざんねん
na-adjective
regrettable; disappointing; unfortunate
emotion
1. regrettable, disappointing
Expresses disappointment about something that didn't go as hoped.
試合(しあい)に負(ま)けて残念(ざんねん)です。
I'm disappointed that we lost the game.
Predicate usage
残念(ざんねん)な結果(けっか)になった。
It ended with a disappointing result.
Modifier usage
せっかく来(き)たのに休(やす)みとは残念(ざんねん)だ。
It's a shame that it's closed even though I came all this way.
残念(ざんねん)なことに雨(あめ)だった。
Unfortunately, it was raining.
会(あ)えなくて残念(ざんねん)だ。
I'm sorry I couldn't see you.
2. unfortunate, a pity
Used to express sympathy about an unfortunate situation.
残念(ざんねん)ながら、参加(さんか)できません。
Unfortunately, I cannot participate.
Set expression ~ながら
それは残念(ざんねん)でしたね。
That's too bad. / What a pity.
Expressing sympathy
残念(ざんねん)ですがお断(ことわ)りします。
I'm sorry, but I must decline.
それは本当(ほんとう)に残念(ざんねん)だね。
That's really a pity.
残念(ざんねん)な知(し)らせがある。
I have unfortunate news.

残念(ざんねん) is a na-adjective expressing disappointment or regret.

Forms

  • Adverbial: 残念(ざんねん)に (rare; 残念(ざんねん)ながら more common)
  • Modifier: 残念(ざんねん)な + noun

Conjugation

  • Negative: 残念(ざんねん)ではない / 残念(ざんねん)じゃない
  • Te-form: 残念(ざんねん)で
  • Past: 残念(ざんねん)だった

Common expressions

  • 残念(ざんねん)ながら (unfortunately, regrettably)
  • 残念(ざんねん)なことに (unfortunately, regrettably)
  • それは残念(ざんねん)ですね (That's too bad / What a pity)

Usage: Often used to express personal disappointment (残念(ざんねん)です) or to sympathize with others (残念(ざんねん)でしたね).

Related Words

Compare: 後悔(こうかい) (regret, remorse)
Compare: 失望(しつぼう)する (to be disappointed)
Compare: がっかりする (to be disappointed)
core
Added 2026.1.8 21:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:00
01000/01244_zannen